The case for Gordon was strong not long ago.
The problem is the timing of the drop-off. Gordon’s last goal came in the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in late March, and he has not played since because of injury. For a wide forward, missing the run-in is damaging. Selection calls at tournament time are often shaped by sharpness as much as reputation.
Tuchel’s attack is unlikely to be built around just one profile, which leaves Gordon in a vulnerable bracket. He offers direct running, pace and intensity, but a late injury creates doubt when places are tight. Missing five straight matches is not a small detail; it removes the chance to make a final impression before the squad is trimmed.
That does not rule him out. Gordon has recent England involvement and has already shown he can contribute in meaningful qualifiers. But he now looks like a player on the selection line rather than safely beyond it.
There is also uncertainty around his club future. Reports suggest Bayern Munich are interested, while Liverpool have long been linked. Eddie Howe has also hinted Gordon may already have played his final game for Newcastle United, even while leaving open the possibility of using him again if needed.
That leaves Gordon with two storylines running together: an international decision and a club decision. The next watchpoint is Tuchel’s squad call, followed quickly by England’s warm-up games against New Zealand and Costa Rica - and then, perhaps, a summer in which Gordon’s future is discussed almost as much as his football.